If you are the happy owner of an electric car, then, undoubtedly, you have carefully reviewed its registration document at least once to pay attention to some technical details.
One box is sure to catch your eye. This is column P.6 to the right of your registration card, above column U.1. This administrative unit is used to determine the value of the vehicle registration certificate, with the exception of electric models, since this certificate is actually free.
In addition, as one of the readers of “Auto Plus” magazine noted, some curiosities sometimes happen. Indeed, Renault Mégane E-Tech with a capacity of 220 hp. has 4 tax hp, while the 204 hp MG4, therefore less powerful, has 5 tax hp.
Why make it simple when you can make it complicated?
As the journal explains, there is an explanation to be found in the form of a mathematical formula with, in addition to this, a little subtlety. The formula is used by the French administration to calculate the budget power of electric vehicles. It differs from that used for thermal models.
The formula in question is here: (0.00018 x kW²) + (0.0387 x kW + 1.34). Even though it might sound complicated, it’s actually relatively simple, except that the French administration has a knack for making things too complicated.
Exclusive thinness for an electric car
Indeed, kW output is included, but it’s not what the manufacturers report, meaning it’s not the 160 kW (or 220 hp) announced by Renault for its Mégane E-Tech. Brands declare the maximum value, while what is declared for the calculation of tax horses, this is the maximum useful power for 30 minutes.
This is the power that the car can produce continuously for half an hour, and this value is entered in column P.2 of the registration certificate.
In the example between the Renault Mégane E-Tech and the MG4, this difference is explained by the fact that the MG4 has a higher net output, namely 68 kW, compared to the Renault’s 55 kW. And if you do the math using the formula above, we get an MG4 that is “fiscally more powerful” than the Mégane E-Tech.
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.